Defacing buildings or monuments is a crime in Brazil that can result in either one year in jail or a fine, though officials from Brazil's civil police force are quoted as telling BBC Newsbeat that Bieber's case is "a minor offence".

Bieber had been authorised by the City Hall to paint at a local sports facility. However, his entourage said that to avoid fans, he chose a different place.

According to local authorities, Bieber's consent to paint at the sports centre was not transferrable to other locations, and he has been charged with "defacing a building or urban monument by graffiti or other means".

Photographers at the scene alleged to Metro the singer swore at them, and also claimed that they scuffled with Bieber's bodyguards.